Those who like to keep their hands busy usually resort to knitting, playing iPhone games or fondling Baoding balls. FLUX offers the same amusement as these pastimes with an extra perk of fun physics. FLUX is a toy that is basically a cylinder and ball duo. The ball passes through the cylinder more slowly than gravity allows, creating a cool illusion. It is a distressed magnetic field that causes this effect, unlike the Fushigi Ball that fails to deliver on its supposed gravity-defying fun. FLUX comes in different colors and goes for $49 on Indiegogo. This cool toy hopes to raise $25,000 in a 45-day campaign.
The Premise. People love to have plants in their houses and offices. However, sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re watering those plants too much or not enough. Sometimes we have to guess, which can have deadly consequences… for the plants that is.
The Product. Daisy.si is a smart plant watering device. This small product has two prongs that rest in the soil. The LED light on top indicates if the soil is fully wet, moist or too dry and also shows battery information as well as how much light the plant is getting. The device then uses this information to gauge how much water it should dispense to the plant. A long tube goes from the moisture source into the soil. A program allows the user to adjust watering settings from their phone or computer. They can either choose to water the plant manually or use the auto-detect function. Daisy.si runs on a battery that lasts up to two years.
The Pitch. Daisy.si’s video shows the device being used in a number of different settings with lots of different kinds of flowers, herbs, vegetables and the like. The creators from Slovenia use a bit of broken English throughout the rest of the campaign to describe the prototyping process as well as showing the accompanying program’s interface. Daisy needs to raise $18,000 in its 45-day Indiegogo campaign.
The Perks. For only $30, early backers can enjoy the Daisy.si with free shipping worldwide at a regular price of $33. Reward tiers go up to $303 offering different quantities of the product, but not much else. There is no estimated delivery date specified.
The Potential. The Daisy.si is perhaps the most sophisticated plant watering system around. Others claim to be as smart, but fail in their delivery like Jobe’s Smart Watering System that really only acts as an IV drip for plants. Daisy.si not only detects moisture, but sunlight as well which is a necessary detail to take into account when caring for plants. All in all, Daisy.si’s versatility in moisture detection and its ability to be controlled remotely make it a great product for green-thumbed backers.
Kitchen convenience just hit a new level. Rolly Bowl allows for meals to go from stove, to table to fridge, and from microwave to table again. The unique roll top lid means that there is always a lid available that covers food for storage, as well as preventing it from sticking to the top and acting as a splash guard when it’s time to microwave. The roll over lid easily removes for either hand washing or the dishwasher, and always holds its shape for a perfect fit. Alas, the domed configuration makes the bowl difficult to stack when closed. While the idea certainly seems clever, backers may find it a bit pricy at $50. Expected delivery is September 2014.
Functionality, storage and bulet stoppage is a tall order for a nightstand. But one product is out to deliver. The Taichiman Bulletproof Bedside Table is a nightstand in ordinary circumstances, but becomes a shield and weapon storage unit during times of trouble. The tabletop design is customizable for visual appeal, but is made of the same type of material as police anti-riot shields, It’s also IIIA bulletproof, and is nearly 6 millimeters thick. If a higher bulletproof level is desired, customization is available. The product appears to be easy to assemble, and is available to early bird backers for $185, or $245 includes a torch light and door / window alarm system. Expected delivery is October 2014.
The Premise. Briefcases serve business people by acting as luggage for all of those necessary work-related items. Sometimes, however, they can become hard to carry, especially during those long commutes to and from work. Perhaps the briefcase should carry you instead of the other way around
The Product. The Commute-Case is so much more than a briefcase. It also acts as a battery-powered personal transportation device and trolley. When folded up, the case looks like any typical bag, but folds out into the two above modes. Currently, the beefed up case comes in blue, black, beige, pink, green, purple, red and gray. When laid flat on the ground, the Commute-Case is 18” long by 13” wide and 4” tall. While in ride mode, the product can go as far as 25 miles at up to 12mph.
The Pitch. Commute-Case’s relatively dry campaign video fails to match up to how cool this product is. Another video in the campaign shows how the product folds out, but does so with an animation instead of showing someone doing it, making it unclear how easy or difficult it is for the Commute-Case to switch between different modes. This product has a lofty goal of $150,000 in 30 days on Indiegogo.
The Perks. Commute-Case offers several reward tiers, but only one with the case itself. Lower reward tiers feature extra cargo bags, warning lights and t-shirts. The last and highest level of $999 gets backers the case along with an engraving option that has an estimated delivery date of December 2014.
The Potential. In the briefcase/battery-operated scooter/trolley market, the Commute-Case may be, well, the only product there is. Its interesting mishmash of uses makes this case worthy of a George Jetson type. In addition, the price seems pretty fair based on the versatility of this product. The only questions that remain are how heavy is the case and how awkward is it to ride while straddling the briefcase? Even so, the Commute-Case is a new and interesting way for commuters to tote around their stuff.
We’re constantly attached to our iPhones and use them as cameras, recipe books, GPS’s and a million other things. The Fritzframe makes the iPhone even more versatile acting as a case, stand, video stabilizer and more. The case folds out so that it holds up the phone on any surface or hangs from a hook. Much like the Casio TRYX Digital Camera of yore, the Fritzframe makes it easy to take photos or videos from any angle. The lightweight aluminum Fritzframe only works with the iPhone 5 and costs backers $71 with an estimated delivery date of June 2014. This product has a modest $1,000 goal in its 45-day Indiegogo campaign.
Premise. They say “home is where the heart is” but in most cases it’s usually where all of your stuff is. And while that gooey mixture of chili cheese fries proves you’re not interested in preserving your heart, maybe you’re more interested in safeguarding your stuff. But all that alarm and security talk gets real expensive real quick.
Product. Korner is a way to add a layer of security to your home, and was specifically engineered to be cheap and easy – a product combination we all need in our home security, our car insurance, and many many other outlets. Korner consists of a fob which plugs into your wireless router, stick-on door/window sensor(s), and an Android/iOS app. A combination of sensors in the “Tag” allow for the industry’s first one-piece door/window sensor. Up to 15 Tags can communicate via wireless protocol with the Fob and you can control the entire system using your computer or the app. Once an intrusion is detected, Korner sends you a message via the app so you know exactly which area of your home is being accessed; simultaneously a loud alarm emits from the Fob, to ward off potential intruders.
Pitch. Korner’s campaign video features CEO Steve Hollis speaking about creating an inexpensive home security system that everyone can easily use. He explains that Korner differs from similar products because the sensor is one piece, cutting down on complication, and is also better at honing in on the difference between vibrations and actual entry. Reading the campaign website you will find that the founders have a partnership with DAWN – Domestic Abuse Women’s Network – and encourage potential backers to support the organization by funding a donation of Korner to help provide security for those most in need. Other information provided on the campaign’s site includes projected schedule with production slated for November and distribution in December of this year.
Perks. For $79 you can purchase Korner for a women’s shelter. For $99 you can purchase a Korner starter pack which consists of three Tags and one Fob. Depending on whether you have a medium, large, or “very large home” there are additional levels of perks to secure, stopping at a $5,000 contribution which also names you a “Korner Supporter.” Paradoxically, for the deepest level of commitment, perks are vague – assumingly you would receive at least the starter Korner kit, but as a supporter you would have “influence” over future design details, add-on products, and can meet the team in Seattle (it’s unclear who funds the travel-to-Seattle part, though).
Potential. There is large potential for a product like Korner to become successful in the market. Citing the campaign video, adoption of home security systems in middle-income and low-income homes is much lower, while reported intrusions are more prevalent than in high-income homes. LILA is a similar concept sensor which features two pieces that needs to be aligned – going against Korner’s vow of simplicity. Other products like WataSensor or the Canary seem to rival Korner’s simplicity but do not match its clear advantage in affordability. While both systems offer a few more features than standard with Korner, consumers will need to decide whether the tradeoff is favorable.
We’ve all had that awful moment when our phone dies and we’re stuck without a way to charge it. With Buckle Charger, the answer lies just above your crotch. This portable charger lives right on a belt buckle and can charge any Android phone, iPhone or Bluetooth headset. It’s subtlety, convenience and portability make this product extremely appealing, much like the Carbon Watch. One Buckle Charger costs buckled backers $49 at an early price or $59 regularly with choice of leather color and three connectors. This product needs to raise $100,000 with its hilarious 40-day Indiegogo campaign.
For those who like to accessorize when on the go, items such as jewelry, cufflinks, earbuds or USB cords can easily get misplaced right in a person’s luggage. And when that happens, it seems the only way to find those types of items is to dump everything out, only to find that they’ve somehow worked their way to the very bottom! PentaBox is a great soft, elastic silicone, storage solution for keepingthese items safe from becoming lost in luggage space – or in the case of some women, a large purse. Early bird backers can get theirs for $13, with an expected delivery of July 2014.
Perhaps there’s little that’s more annoying about fancy technology than the subquality USB cables that seem to break and kink with the least little bit of strain or stress. Finding a place to plug in and charge sometimes means a tight spot such as behind a desk, couch or nightstand. Snakable is a solution to the problem of USB cables breaking and kinking so quickly. The product’s ball joints allow it to move freely, giving it an ability to arch that keeps it from reaching its breaking point. It’s compatible with Apple and Android devices. For $15, backers get one product in their choice of multiple color options, which is 50 percent off of the expected retail price. Anticipated delivery is August 2014.